#23 Financial Planning, Wall Paper and Learning Through Mistakes in Business

The beautiful lady we are interviewing today has an eye for interior décor and wallpaper, and at a very young age is now a leading lady in her industry helping home owners bring something a little bit different to their homes with the unique beautiful wallpapers she has on offer in her store at Manolo Walls.

Tell us your story

Nelli Pavlenko always knew she wanted to be a business owner and that being an entrepreneur was one the callings that God put on her heart. She chose not go to college but to work and build relationships in her respective field. She prayed for an idea for a business that she would enjoy and that God would be able to use in order to reach the nations. After seven years of prayer the name for the first business that started it all came thru a Trip Lee song “Manolo” at the Winter Jam concert in Portland OR. She didn’t know what it was going to be used for but she knew that was the name. A few months later the idea for a wallpaper store came via one of the Property Brothers episodes where they did an accent wall and used wallpaper instead of paint. After some extensive research she decided to open a wallpaper store in Portland OR. The way it all came together was a miracle in itself. Everything came about smoothly; God provided the right contacts, retail space and finances. Manolo Walls is a miracle business orchestrated by God. I cannot take any credit for what he is doing with the business. I just show up and work!

Thru this first step of faith God has blessed us with another business and we have two more in the works for next year.

5 Tips on your Craft

Find someone whose out of your area but in your industry as a mentor to help when you’re starting out.
Allow room for mistakes, because you’re going to make them and that’s ok.
Be prudent with your finances: make sure someone is bringing in the money in your family or make sure you have 2 years worth of savings lined up so you’re not threading over finances while you’re starting off.
Research the industry.
Connected with the right people to network with. Make sure people know you’re out there and know that you need people around you.

How do you incorporate God into your business

Since starting the business, I’ve gotten closer to God. Daily, I listen to worship music in my showroom. I walk around praying over my business. Doing this first thing in the morning, inviting God, things just flow right.

Your bible verse for this season

¹¹For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. – Jeremiah 29:11